Saturday 4 October 2014

TGIF writers, cucumber sandwiches and ghosts

Friday was an action packed day starting with a whizz round the bijou Writers' Museum where students were able to read about 3 of Scotland's most famous writers and several bought books in the museum bookshop. Next stop was the Princes Street, the main shopping street of the city. The more adventurous amount us climber the 287 steps to the top of the Walter Scott Monument which dominates the skyline of Edinburgh.

The afternoon found us at the National Portrait Gallery of Scotland where a small collection of paintings and sculptures has been created to commemorate the centenary of WWI. Our guide explained the significance of each piece and eliciting their opinions about the execution of the art.

A leisurely afternoon tea at the bespoke Howard Hotel helped us all to refine our etiquette and table manners. Finger sandwiches, cream scones and other dainties washed down with lashing of tea, resembled a scene from Downton Abbey.

After a few rounds of cards back at the hostel, we waited impatiently for night to fall. As rain beat against us we made our way thought the dark wynds of the old town for our ghoulish tour of the Edinburgh vaults and graveyards. We were met by Mark in his black cape and cap. his resonant voice led us through the underground catacombs of the old city, describing anecdotes of murder, executions and unexplained ghosts.

More ghoulish goings on tomorrow.

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